Competitive Strategies and Government Policies Essays - Free Essays

Competitive Strategies and Government Policies Essays - Free Essays ECO/365 Version 4 Principles of Microeconomics Learning Team Competitive Strategies and Government Policies As a team, choose an industry. Assume management in that industry has recognized the effect of changes in the real-world competitive environment and government policies on other industries and anticipates similar events occurring in their industry, so they ask you for a report considering the following points. Write a 1,400 1,750 word paper in which you describe how each of the following are now, and will in the future, affecting your chosen industry: New companies entering the market, mergers, and globalization, on pricing and the sustainability of profits: Identify the type of merger activity in your industry or one with which you are familiarhorizontal, vertical, or conglomerateand explain why you made that choice. Current and expected government policies and regulations, including taxes and regulations in place to address issues related to externalities Global competition on the decisions made by management with regards to change in labor demand, supply, relations, unions, and rules and regulations in your chosen industry Recommend how the industry you chose may respond to each of the previous points. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Competitive Strategies and Government Policies In 1769, the first human transport automobile was created by using a steam engine. In 1806, the automobile evolved from the steam engine to an internal combustion engine which was powered by fuel gas. Nearly eighty years later, the petrol-fueled internal combustion engine was created. Electric power was briefly introduced in the 20th century. From 1769 until today, the automobile industry has experienced tremendous breakthroughs and there is no telling what lies ahead. According to the Economist (2013) A variety of driver assistance technologies are appearing on new cars, which will not only take a lot of the stress out of driving in traffic but also prevent many accidents. The Economist also states that Sergey Brin, a co-founder of Google, predicts that driverless cars will be ready for sale to customers within five years. The automobile industry has changed throughout the years and so has the competition. Governments have also become more environmental conscious and imposed policies and regulations for automakers which are almost certain to continue in the future. Management has not only recognized the changes that have occurred in the past, but they also recognize the changes that have yet to occur and must properly plan to ensure long-term profitability. New Companies The United States automobile industry consists of the same major companies that pioneered its existence. Such companies as General Motors and Ford have claimed their fair share of the market; however foreign automobile makers Toyota and Honda have interjected themselves in the U.S. automobile industry and have done so in a competitive fashion. The automobile industry is categorized as an oligopoly. In this particular market structure, outside companies are capable of entering the automobile industry, but in some cases there can be barriers of entry and exit. According to Colander, D. (2010) Implicit collusion among U.S. automobile firms led to foreign firms entry into the U.S. automobile market. Basically, a collective decision is made to reduce or increase pricing in the industry without companies specifically meeting to do so. In the global market, the automobile industry is competitive and creates opportunities to increase production along with establishing operations in other countries throughout the world. The ability to sustain a level of profits will be a challenge. With fluctuating market pricing, market share of the automobile industry can be increased or reduced. In some cases, making a significant price reduction can eliminate a competitor from the industry, which can result in long-term profits. Merger Activity The automobile industry has a long history of mergers, acquisitions, partnerships and alliances. In 1904 Ford Motor Company partnered with a Canadian carriage-maker. Though not a vertical merger, the partnership increased Fords production efficiency. The most recent automobile acquisition was Chrysler completed by Fiat Corporation. Fiat eventually purchased a controlling share in Chryslers stock and now has controlling ownership. A bankrupt Chrysler was pulled up by the bootstraps and the initial alliance with Fiat provided Chrysler with a platform to build more fuel-efficient cars. Fiat has increased the firms globalization and economies of scale by strategically gaining control of Chrysler. Government regulations, globalization

Overview of the Medulla Oblongata

Overview of the Medulla Oblongata The medulla oblongata is a portion of the hindbrain that controls autonomic functions such as breathing, digestion, heart and blood vessel function, swallowing, and sneezing. Motor and sensory neurons from the midbrain and forebrain travel through the medulla. As a part of the brainstem, the medulla oblongata helps in the transferring of messages between various parts of the brain and the spinal cord. The medulla contains myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers. Myelinated nerves (white matter) are covered with a myelin sheath composed of lipids and proteins. This sheath insulates axons and promotes more efficient conduction of nerve impulses than unmyelinated nerve fibers (gray matter). A number of cranial nerve nuclei are located in the gray matter of the medulla oblongata. The upper region of the medulla forms the fourth cerebral ventricle. The fourth ventricle is a cavity filled with cerebrospinal fluid and is continuous with the cerebral aqueduct. The lower portion of the medulla narrows forming portions of the central canal of the spinal cord. Function The medulla oblongata is involved in several functions of the body including: Control of autonomic functionsRelay of nerve signals between the brain and spinal cordCoordination of body movementsRegulation of mood The medulla is the control center for cardiovascular and respiratory system activity. It regulates heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. The medulla also controls involuntary reflex actions such as swallowing, sneezing, and gag reflex. Another major function of the medulla is the control and coordination of voluntary movement. A number of cranial nerve nuclei are located in the medulla. Some of these nerves are important for speech, head and shoulder movement, and food digestion. The medulla also aids in the transfer of sensory information between the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system. It relays sensory information to the thalamus and from there is sent to the cerebral cortex. Location Directionally, the medulla oblongata is inferior to the pons and anterior to the cerebellum. It is the lowest portion of the hindbrain and is continuous with the spinal cord. Features Some anatomical features of the medulla oblongata include: Median fissures - shallow groves located along the anterior and posterior portions of the medulla.Olive - paired oval structures on the medulla surface that contain nerve fibers which connect the medulla to the pons and cerebellum.Pyramid - two rounded masses located on opposite sides of the anterior median fissure. These nerve fibers connect the medulla to the spinal cord, pons, and cerebral cortex.Fasciculus gracilis - a continuation of the bundle of nerve fiber tracts that extend from the spinal cord to the medulla. Injury to the Medulla Injury to the medulla oblongata may result in a number of sensory-related problems. These include numbness, paralysis, difficulty swallowing, acid reflux, and lack of movement control. Because the medulla controls vital autonomic functions, such as breathing and heart rate, damage to this area of the brain can be fatal. Drugs and other chemical substances can impact the medullas ability to function. An opiate overdose can be deadly because these drugs inhibit medulla activity and the body becomes unable to perform vital functions. The chemicals in anesthesia work by acting on the medulla to decrease autonomic activity. This results in a lower breathing rate and heart rate, relaxation of muscles, and  loss of consciousness.​